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SUMMIT COUNTY -- A motorcycle charity ride for Shriners Children's Hospital Sunday morning took a turn for the worse when two motorcyclists crashed on Interstate 80 in Parley's Canyon.
Troopers say this was simply a case of following too closely.
Nearly 300 riders were headed east up the canyon around 11:30 Sunday morning. They were participating in the annual "Shriners Kids Ride" with a goal to raise $60,000 for Shriners Children's Hospital.
According to the Utah Highway Patrol, one rider was following the bike in front of him too closely and wasn't paying attention. Though he tried to brake quickly, he still ended up crashing his bike into the other motorcycle.
The driver of the motorcycle, as well as the two riders on the bike in front of him, suffered head injuries. None of the riders was wearing a helmet.
This is just a case of something that happens as an accident. We hope it's an isolated incident. Any accident on a ride like this is cause for alarm and concern.
–Mike Babcock
"All of them were transported to the hospital," said Stephen Matthews with the Utah Highway Patrol. "One was transported by AirMed to the University of Utah, one was transported to the U by ground ambulance and one was transported to Park City Hospital."
The crash closed down the eastbound lanes of I-80 for about an hour near Kimball Junction, causing traffic to back up. Drivers headed up the canyon were directed off the freeway while crews cleaned up.
A spokesman for Shriners Children's Hospital says organizers took every precaution to prevent something like this from happening.
"We wanted a good, safe ride and we hope we get that," said Mike Babcock. "This is just a case of something that happens as an accident. We hope it's an isolated incident. Any accident on a ride like this is cause for alarm and concern."
He says the event's organizer will take a close look at what happened and make the necessary changes for next year.
E-mail: jstagg@ksl.com
